EP1001181A2 - Rolling or sliding parts - Google Patents
Rolling or sliding parts Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1001181A2 EP1001181A2 EP99121511A EP99121511A EP1001181A2 EP 1001181 A2 EP1001181 A2 EP 1001181A2 EP 99121511 A EP99121511 A EP 99121511A EP 99121511 A EP99121511 A EP 99121511A EP 1001181 A2 EP1001181 A2 EP 1001181A2
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- rolling
- particle
- blank
- distance
- oil
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- 0 *C1C=*CC1 Chemical compound *C1C=*CC1 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
- C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
- C23C8/00—Solid state diffusion of only non-metal elements into metallic material surfaces; Chemical surface treatment of metallic material by reaction of the surface with a reactive gas, leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, e.g. conversion coatings, passivation of metals
- C23C8/06—Solid state diffusion of only non-metal elements into metallic material surfaces; Chemical surface treatment of metallic material by reaction of the surface with a reactive gas, leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, e.g. conversion coatings, passivation of metals using gases
- C23C8/08—Solid state diffusion of only non-metal elements into metallic material surfaces; Chemical surface treatment of metallic material by reaction of the surface with a reactive gas, leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, e.g. conversion coatings, passivation of metals using gases only one element being applied
- C23C8/20—Carburising
- C23C8/22—Carburising of ferrous surfaces
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C33/00—Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
- F16C33/02—Parts of sliding-contact bearings
- F16C33/04—Brasses; Bushes; Linings
- F16C33/06—Sliding surface mainly made of metal
- F16C33/12—Structural composition; Use of special materials or surface treatments, e.g. for rust-proofing
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C33/00—Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
- F16C33/30—Parts of ball or roller bearings
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C2204/00—Metallic materials; Alloys
- F16C2204/60—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S148/00—Metal treatment
- Y10S148/902—Metal treatment having portions of differing metallurgical properties or characteristics
- Y10S148/906—Roller bearing element
Definitions
- the present invention relates to rolling or sliding parts, and more particularly to rolling parts suitable as antifriction bearing components, such bearing rings and rolling bodies, or as sliding parts suited as sliding bearing components, for use in soiled oil containing extraneous matter.
- an antifriction bearing part which comprises a steel containing 0.5 to 1.2 wt. % of C and 0.7 to 3.0 wt. % of Cr and is given a surface with a C content of 1.5 to 3.0 wt. % and a surface hardness of at least 63 in Rockwell C hardness by carburizing treatment, the bearing part having a carburized layer containing a precipitated fine spheroidal carbide in an amount of 15 to 80% in area ratio.
- the spheroidal carbide is up to 10 ⁇ m in diameter.
- the matrix of the carburized layer contains 0.6 to 0.7 wt. % of C (JP-A No. 41934/1995).
- An object of the present invention is to overcome the foregoing problem and provide a rolling or sliding part having a longer life than the conventional parts.
- the present invention provides a rolling or sliding part comprising a steel material subjected to a heat treatment including carburization and containing a spheroidal carbide precipitated and dispersed in a carburized layer matrix, the particle-to-particle distance of the spheroidal carbide being up to 15 ⁇ m in terms of the distance between the most proximate particles.
- the particle-to-particle distance of the spheroidal carbide is limited to not greater than 15 ⁇ m in terms of the distance between the most proximate particles because it has been substantiated by experiments that this results in a lengthened rolling life in soiled oil and clean oil.
- the particle-to-particle distance of the spheroidal carbide is up to 15 ⁇ m in terms of the distance between the most proximate particles, so that the antifriction bearing comprising this part serves a prolonged rolling life in soiled oil and clean oil. Further when incorporating this part, the sliding bearing has an extended life.
- the rolling or sliding part of the invention is suitable as antifriction bearing components, such bearing rings and rolling bodies, or as sliding bearing components, for use in soiled oil containing extraneous matter.
- the factor for giving the spheroidal carbide precipitated and dispersed in the carburized layer matrix of the rolling or sliding part a particle-to-particle distance of up to 15 ⁇ m in terms of the distance between the most proximate particles is thought to be involved in the alloy composition of the steel material to be used for making the part or in the conditions for the heat treatment including carburization, whereas research has yet to be made to clarify what influence the alloy composition or heat-treatment conditions produce on the particle-to-particle distance of the spheroidal carbide.
- Examples of useful steel materials are known steels such as JIS SUJ2, JIS SCr420 and SAE 5120, and a steel comprising 0.15 to 0.45 wt. % of C, 1.2 to 1.6 wt. % of Cr, 0.35 to 0.55 wt. % of Si, 0.35 to 0.65 wt. % of Mn, and the balance Fe and inevitable impurities.
- Useful for the heat treatment including carburization and to be conducted for a blank of rolling or sliding part prepared from such a steel material is, for example, a process comprising the first step of carburizing or carburizing and quenching, the second step of hardening to precipitate a fine spheroidal carbide in the resulting carburized layer, and the third step of high-concentration carburizing and quenching for forming a surface portion having a higher carbon concentration than the surface portion resulting from the first step.
- the heating temperature of the third step is not higher than the heating temperature of the second step because if the heating temperature of the third step is higher than the heating temperature of the second step, the carbide precipitated by the second step is likely to partly dissolve in the matrix.
- the process comprises the first step of heating the blank in a carburizing atmosphere containing 10 to 17 vol. % of C 3 H 8 at a temperature of 930 to 950° C for 3 to 5 hours, followed by oil quenching, the second step of heating the quenched blank at a temperature of 800 to 840° C for 0.5 to 0.8 hour, followed by oil quenching, and the third step of heating the resulting blank in a carburizing atmosphere containing 10 to 17 vol. % of C 3 H 8 at a temperature in the range of 790 to 840° C and not higher than the heating temperature of the second step for 3 to 5 hours, followed by oil quenching.
- the third step by heating the blank in a carburizing atmosphere containing 10 to 17 vol. % of C 3 H 8 at a temperature in the range of 790 to 820° C and not higher than the heating temperature of the second step for 3 to 5 hours and thereafter heating the blank at an elevated temperature of 830 to 840° C for 0.5 to 0.8 hour, followed by oil quenching. It is then possible to give the matrix an increased amount of carbide without producing coarser particles of carbide.
- the rolling or sliding part of the invention have a particle-to-particle distance of up to 10 ⁇ m in terms of the distance between the most proximate particles.
- the antifriction bearing comprising this part serves a further lengthened rolling life in soiled oil and clean oil, and the sliding bearing incorporating the part is given a further extended life.
- the rolling or sliding part of the invention has a surface hardness of 58 to 67 in Rockwell C hardness (hereinafter referred to briefly as "HRC"). If less than 58 in HRC, the surface hardness is insufficient, rendering, for example, the antifriction bearing wherein the rolling part is used susceptible to surface indentations or flaws due to extraneous matter which will initiate spalling or separation and resulting in impaired abrasion resistance to shorten the life of the bearing, in the case where the bearing is used in soiled oil containing extraneous matter. If the hardness is over 67 in HRC, lower toughness will result. If less than 58 in HRC, the surface hardness is insufficient also in the case of the sliding part. The part will then be susceptible to surface indentations due to friction.
- HRC Rockwell C hardness
- the spheroidal carbide be up to 5 ⁇ m in mean particle size. If the mean particle size of the spheroidal carbide is over 5 ⁇ m, the amount of spheroidal carbide in excess of 5 ⁇ m in particle size will be about 80% of the whole amount of spheroidal carbide, consequently permitting stress concentration on the carbide portion exceeding 5 ⁇ m in particle size, and the part is likely to develop a break in this portion. Accordingly, the spheroidal carbide should be up to 5 ⁇ m, preferably up to 3 ⁇ m, in mean particle size.
- the carbide in excess of 5 ⁇ m in particle size will be in an amount of at least 30% of the whole amount and will contain particles with a maximum size of 10 ⁇ m as the case may be, with the result that the portion of carbide exceeding 5 ⁇ m in size is subjected to stress concentration to develop a break. Accordingly, it is preferable that the amount of spheroidal carbide up to 5 ⁇ m in particle size be at least 70% of the whole amount of spheroidal carbide.
- SAE 5120 (steel material A), JIS SUJ2 (steel material B) and a steel (steel material C) comprising 0.2 wt. % of C, 1.4 wt. % of Cr, 0.45 wt. % of Si, 0.55 wt. % of Mn and the balance Fe and inevitable impurities were used for preparing 15 sets of blanks of bearing rings and blanks of balls for thrust ball bearings.
- the blanks for some of these sets were heat-treated under the conditions shown in FIG. 1 (heat treatment 1), and those for the other sets were heat-treated under the conditions shown in FIG. 2 (heat treatment 2).
- the blanks subjected to the heat treatment 1 or 2 were subsequently heated at 160° C for 2 hours for tempering and thereafter abraded over the surface in varying amounts to obtain 15 sets of bearing rings and balls which were different in the properties of the surface portion. These sets were assembled into 15 thrust ball bearings.
- the tempering step is not illustrated since this step is generally performed after hardening to improve the toughness of the blank.
- the heat treatment 1 which was conducted using a fluidized-bed furnace, comprises the first step of carburizing and quenching, i.e., of heating the blank at 930° C for 3 hours while supplying N 2 gas serving as a fluidizing gas at a flow rate of 4.5 ⁇ 10 -4 m 3 /s and supplying C 3 H 8 gas at a flow rate of 0.5 ⁇ 10 -4 m 3 /s (the C 3 H 8 concentration of the atmosphere: 10 vol.
- the heat treatment 2 which was conducted using a fluidized-bed furnace, comprises the first step of carburizing and quenching, i.e., of heating the blank at 930° C for 3 hours while supplying N 2 gas serving as a fluidizing gas at a flow rate of 4.5 ⁇ 10 -4 m 3 /s and supplying C 3 H 8 gas at a flow rate of 0.5 ⁇ 10 -4 m 3 /s (the C 3 H 8 concentration of the atmosphere: 10 vol.
- SAE 5120 (steel material A)and JIS SUJ2 (steel material B) were used for preparing 6 sets of blanks of bearing rings and blanks of balls for thrust ball bearings.
- the blanks for some of these sets were heat-treated under the conditions shown in FIG. 3 (heat treatment 3), and those for the other sets were heat-treated under the conditions shown in FIG. 4 (heat treatment 4).
- the blanks subjected to the heat treatment 4 were subsequently heated at 160° C for 2 hours for tempering.
- the blanks were thereafter abraded over the surface in varying amounts to obtain 6 sets of bearing rings and balls which were different in the properties of the surface portion. These sets were assembled into 6 thrust ball bearings.
- the heat-treatment 3 comprises the first step of hardening by heating the blank at 830° C for 0.5 hour and thereafter quenching the blank in oil, and the second step of tempering by heating the blank at 180° C for 2 hours.
- the heat treatment 4 which was conducted using a fluidized-bed furnace, comprises the first step of carburizing and quenching the blank, i.e., of heating the blank at 930° C for 3 hours while supplying N 2 gas serving as a fluidizing gas at a flow rate of 3.5 ⁇ 10 -4 m 3 /s and supplying C 3 H 8 gas at a flow rate of 1.5 ⁇ 10 -4 m 3 /s (the C 3 H 8 concentration of the atmosphere: 30 vol.
- the tempering step to be performed after the heat treatment 4 is not illustrated since this step is generally performed after hardening to improve the toughness of the blank.
- Table 1 shows the properties of the thrust ball bearing rings and balls of Examples 1 to 15 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6, i.e., the particle-to-particle distance (distance between the most proximate particles) of the spheroidal carbide of the carburized layer (listed as “particle distance” in Table 1), surface hardness (HRC) of the surface portion, and the mean particle size of the spheroidal carbide of the carburized layer.
- the mean particle size of the spheroidal carbide was determined by corroding the race of the sample directly with a picral solution for a predetermined period of time, observing the corroded surface at a magnification of X3000 using EPMA to measure the mean particle size of the carbide by the image analysis of ten fields and calculating the average value of the measurements.
- the particle-to-particle distance of the carbide was determined by corroding the race of the sample directly with a picral solution for a predetermined period of time, observing the corroded surface at a magnification of X3000 using EPMA to measure the mean particle size of the carbide and the number of particles of thereof by the image analysis of ten fields, calculating the respective average values of the measurements and calculating the distance from the known expression using the average values.
- the sample was thereafter lapped with alumina to remove the surface layer corroded with the picral solution and obtain a center line average height Ra of up to 0.05 ⁇ m. Ex. Steel mat.
- the ball bearings of Examples 1 to 11 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 were subjected to a life test in a soiled oil containing extraneous matter.
- a vibrometer was connected to the tester so that when the vibration value increased to twice the initial value in the event of a fault, such as spalling, occurring during testing, the tester was automatically stopped.
- the oil was not filtered or replenished during testing, but the used oil was replaced by a specified amount of fresh oil every time the test was conducted.
- Table 1 also shows the life of the ball bearings of Examples 1 to 11 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3.
- Example 12 to 15 and Comparative Examples 4 to 6 were subjected to a life test in a clean oil.
- the ball bearing was immersed in clean #60 spindle oil free from extraneous matter and tested under the same conditions as in Evaluation Test 1.
- Table 1 also shows the life of the ball bearings of Examples 12 to 15 and Comparative Examples 4 to 6.
Abstract
A rolling or sliding part is produced from a blank
of steel material subjected to a heat treatment
including carburization and thereby made to contain a
spheroidal carbide precipitated and dispersed in a
carburized layer matrix. The particle-to-particle
distance of the spheroidal carbide is up to 15 µm in
terms of the distance between the most proximate
particles. The rolling or sliding part is suitable as
antifriction bearing components, such bearing rings and
rolling bodies, or as sliding bearing components, for
use in soiled oil containing extraneous matter. The
antifriction bearing comprising this part serves a
lengthened rolling life in soiled oil and clean oil, and
the sliding bearing incorporating the part is also given
an extended life.
Description
The present invention relates to rolling or sliding
parts, and more particularly to rolling parts suitable
as antifriction bearing components, such bearing rings
and rolling bodies, or as sliding parts suited as sliding
bearing components, for use in soiled oil containing
extraneous matter.
For example for use in such antifriction bearings,
the present applicant has already proposed an
antifriction bearing part which comprises a steel containing
0.5 to 1.2 wt. % of C and 0.7 to 3.0 wt. % of Cr
and is given a surface with a C content of 1.5 to 3.0
wt. % and a surface hardness of at least 63 in Rockwell
C hardness by carburizing treatment, the bearing part
having a carburized layer containing a precipitated fine
spheroidal carbide in an amount of 15 to 80% in area
ratio. The spheroidal carbide is up to 10 µm in diameter.
The matrix of the carburized layer contains 0.6 to
0.7 wt. % of C (JP-A No. 41934/1995).
However, we have found that the conventional part
described still remains to be improved in life for use
in antifriction bearings which are subjected to
conditions of ever-increasing severity recently.
Accordingly, we have conducted extensive research
with various experiments and found that the rolling life
is greatly influenced by the particle-to-particle
distance of the spheroidal carbide of the carburized
layer in rolling or sliding parts. This finding has
matured to the present invention.
An object of the present invention is to overcome
the foregoing problem and provide a rolling or sliding
part having a longer life than the conventional parts.
The present invention provides a rolling or sliding
part comprising a steel material subjected to a heat
treatment including carburization and containing a
spheroidal carbide precipitated and dispersed in a
carburized layer matrix, the particle-to-particle
distance of the spheroidal carbide being up to 15 µm in
terms of the distance between the most proximate
particles.
With the rolling or sliding part, the particle-to-particle
distance of the spheroidal carbide is limited
to not greater than 15 µm in terms of the distance
between the most proximate particles because it has been
substantiated by experiments that this results in a
lengthened rolling life in soiled oil and clean oil.
In the case of the rolling or sliding part of the
present invention, the particle-to-particle distance of
the spheroidal carbide is up to 15 µm in terms of the
distance between the most proximate particles, so that
the antifriction bearing comprising this part serves a
prolonged rolling life in soiled oil and clean oil.
Further when incorporating this part, the sliding
bearing has an extended life.
The rolling or sliding part of the invention is
suitable as antifriction bearing components, such
bearing rings and rolling bodies, or as sliding bearing
components, for use in soiled oil containing extraneous
matter.
The factor for giving the spheroidal carbide
precipitated and dispersed in the carburized layer
matrix of the rolling or sliding part a particle-to-particle
distance of up to 15 µm in terms of the
distance between the most proximate particles is thought
to be involved in the alloy composition of the steel
material to be used for making the part or in the
conditions for the heat treatment including
carburization, whereas research has yet to be made to
clarify what influence the alloy composition or heat-treatment
conditions produce on the particle-to-particle
distance of the spheroidal carbide.
Examples of useful steel materials are known steels
such as JIS SUJ2, JIS SCr420 and SAE 5120, and a steel
comprising 0.15 to 0.45 wt. % of C, 1.2 to 1.6 wt. % of
Cr, 0.35 to 0.55 wt. % of Si, 0.35 to 0.65 wt. % of Mn,
and the balance Fe and inevitable impurities.
Useful for the heat treatment including
carburization and to be conducted for a blank of rolling
or sliding part prepared from such a steel material is,
for example, a process comprising the first step of
carburizing or carburizing and quenching, the second
step of hardening to precipitate a fine spheroidal
carbide in the resulting carburized layer, and the third
step of high-concentration carburizing and quenching for
forming a surface portion having a higher carbon
concentration than the surface portion resulting from
the first step. Preferably, the heating temperature of
the third step is not higher than the heating
temperature of the second step because if the heating
temperature of the third step is higher than the heating
temperature of the second step, the carbide precipitated
by the second step is likely to partly dissolve in the
matrix. Described more specifically, the process
comprises the first step of heating the blank in a
carburizing atmosphere containing 10 to 17 vol. % of
C3H8 at a temperature of 930 to 950° C for 3 to 5 hours,
followed by oil quenching, the second step of heating
the quenched blank at a temperature of 800 to 840° C for
0.5 to 0.8 hour, followed by oil quenching, and the
third step of heating the resulting blank in a
carburizing atmosphere containing 10 to 17 vol. % of
C3H8 at a temperature in the range of 790 to 840° C and
not higher than the heating temperature of the second
step for 3 to 5 hours, followed by oil quenching. It is
preferable to perform the third step by heating the
blank in a carburizing atmosphere containing 10 to 17
vol. % of C3H8 at a temperature in the range of 790 to
820° C and not higher than the heating temperature of
the second step for 3 to 5 hours and thereafter heating
the blank at an elevated temperature of 830 to 840° C
for 0.5 to 0.8 hour, followed by oil quenching. It is
then possible to give the matrix an increased amount of
carbide without producing coarser particles of carbide.
It is desired that the rolling or sliding part of
the invention have a particle-to-particle distance of up
to 10 µm in terms of the distance between the most
proximate particles. In this case, the antifriction
bearing comprising this part serves a further lengthened
rolling life in soiled oil and clean oil, and the
sliding bearing incorporating the part is given a
further extended life.
Preferably the rolling or sliding part of the
invention has a surface hardness of 58 to 67 in Rockwell
C hardness (hereinafter referred to briefly as "HRC").
If less than 58 in HRC, the surface hardness is
insufficient, rendering, for example, the antifriction
bearing wherein the rolling part is used susceptible to
surface indentations or flaws due to extraneous matter
which will initiate spalling or separation and resulting
in impaired abrasion resistance to shorten the life of
the bearing, in the case where the bearing is used in
soiled oil containing extraneous matter. If the
hardness is over 67 in HRC, lower toughness will result.
If less than 58 in HRC, the surface hardness is
insufficient also in the case of the sliding part. The
part will then be susceptible to surface indentations
due to friction.
Further with the rolling or sliding part of the
present invention, it is desired that the spheroidal
carbide be up to 5 µm in mean particle size. If the
mean particle size of the spheroidal carbide is over 5
µm, the amount of spheroidal carbide in excess of 5 µm
in particle size will be about 80% of the whole amount
of spheroidal carbide, consequently permitting stress
concentration on the carbide portion exceeding 5 µm in
particle size, and the part is likely to develop a break
in this portion. Accordingly, the spheroidal carbide
should be up to 5 µm, preferably up to 3 µm, in mean
particle size. When the amount of spheroidal carbide up
to 5 µm in particle size is less than 70%, the carbide
in excess of 5 µm in particle size will be in an amount
of at least 30% of the whole amount and will contain
particles with a maximum size of 10 µm as the case may
be, with the result that the portion of carbide
exceeding 5 µm in size is subjected to stress
concentration to develop a break. Accordingly, it is
preferable that the amount of spheroidal carbide up to 5
µm in particle size be at least 70% of the whole amount
of spheroidal carbide.
SAE 5120 (steel material A), JIS SUJ2 (steel
material B) and a steel (steel material C) comprising
0.2 wt. % of C, 1.4 wt. % of Cr, 0.45 wt. % of Si, 0.55
wt. % of Mn and the balance Fe and inevitable impurities
were used for preparing 15 sets of blanks of bearing
rings and blanks of balls for thrust ball bearings. The
blanks for some of these sets were heat-treated under
the conditions shown in FIG. 1 (heat treatment 1), and
those for the other sets were heat-treated under the
conditions shown in FIG. 2 (heat treatment 2). The
blanks subjected to the heat treatment 1 or 2 were
subsequently heated at 160° C for 2 hours for tempering
and thereafter abraded over the surface in varying
amounts to obtain 15 sets of bearing rings and balls
which were different in the properties of the surface
portion. These sets were assembled into 15 thrust ball
bearings. Incidentally, the tempering step is not
illustrated since this step is generally performed after
hardening to improve the toughness of the blank.
The heat treatment 1, which was conducted using a
fluidized-bed furnace, comprises the first step of
carburizing and quenching, i.e., of heating the blank at
930° C for 3 hours while supplying N2 gas serving as a
fluidizing gas at a flow rate of 4.5 × 10-4 m3/s and
supplying C3H8 gas at a flow rate of 0.5 × 10-4 m3/s (the
C3H8 concentration of the atmosphere: 10 vol. %), and
thereafter quenching the blank in oil at 80° C, the
second step of hardening by heating the blank at 840° C
for 0.5 hour while supplying N2 gas serving as a
fluidizing gas at a flow rate of 5.0 × 10-4 m3/s, and
thereafter quenching the blank in oil at 80° C, and the
third step of high-concentration carburizing and
quenching, i.e., of heating the blank at 830° C for 5
hours while supplying N2 gas serving as a fluidizing gas
at a flow rate of 4.2 × 10-4 m3/s and supplying C3H8 gas
at a flow rate of 0.8 × 10-4 m3/s (the C3H8 concentration
of the atmosphere: 16 vol. %), and thereafter quenching
the blank in oil at 80° C.
The heat treatment 2, which was conducted using a
fluidized-bed furnace, comprises the first step of
carburizing and quenching, i.e., of heating the blank at
930° C for 3 hours while supplying N2 gas serving as a
fluidizing gas at a flow rate of 4.5 × 10-4 m3/s and
supplying C3H8 gas at a flow rate of 0.5 × 10-4 m3/s (the
C3H8 concentration of the atmosphere: 10 vol. %), and
thereafter quenching the blank in oil at 80° C, the
second step of hardening by heating the blank at 840° C
for 0.5 hour while supplying N2 gas serving as a
fluidizing gas at a flow rate of 5.0 × 10-4 m3/s, and
thereafter quenching the blank in oil at 80° C, and the
third step of high-concentration carburizing and
quenching, i.e., of heating the blank at 830° C for 5
hours while supplying N2 gas serving as a fluidizing gas
at a flow rate of 4.5 × 10-4 m3/s and supplying C3H8 gas
at a flow rate of 0.5 × 10-4 m3/s (the C3H8 concentration
of the atmosphere: 10 vol. %), and thereafter quenching
the blank in oil at 80°.
SAE 5120 (steel material A)and JIS SUJ2 (steel
material B) were used for preparing 6 sets of blanks of
bearing rings and blanks of balls for thrust ball
bearings. The blanks for some of these sets were heat-treated
under the conditions shown in FIG. 3 (heat
treatment 3), and those for the other sets were heat-treated
under the conditions shown in FIG. 4 (heat
treatment 4). The blanks subjected to the heat
treatment 4 were subsequently heated at 160° C for 2
hours for tempering. The blanks were thereafter abraded
over the surface in varying amounts to obtain 6 sets of
bearing rings and balls which were different in the
properties of the surface portion. These sets were
assembled into 6 thrust ball bearings.
The heat-treatment 3 comprises the first step of
hardening by heating the blank at 830° C for 0.5 hour
and thereafter quenching the blank in oil, and the
second step of tempering by heating the blank at 180° C
for 2 hours.
The heat treatment 4, which was conducted using a
fluidized-bed furnace, comprises the first step of
carburizing and quenching the blank, i.e., of heating
the blank at 930° C for 3 hours while supplying N2 gas
serving as a fluidizing gas at a flow rate of 3.5 × 10-4
m3/s and supplying C3H8 gas at a flow rate of 1.5 × 10-4
m3/s (the C3H8 concentration of the atmosphere: 30 vol.
%), and thereafter quenching the blank in oil at 80° C,
the second step of hardening by heating the blank at
830° C for 0.5 hour while supplying N2 gas serving as a
fluidizing gas at a flow rate of 5.0 × 10-4 m3/s, and
thereafter quenching the blank in oil at 80° C, the
third step of hardening by heating the blank at 830° C
for 0.5 hour while supplying N2 gas serving as a
fluidizing gas at a flow rate of 5.0 × 10-4 m3/s, and
thereafter quenching the blank in oil at 80° C, the
fourth step of high-concentration carburizing and
quenching, i.e., of heating the blank at 930° C for 5
hours while supplying N2 gas serving as a fluidizing gas
at a flow rate of 4.2 × 10-4 m3/s and supplying C3H8 gas
at a flow rate of 0.8 × 10-4 m3/s (the C3H8 concentration
of the atmosphere: 16 vol. %), and thereafter quenching
the blank in oil at 80° C, and the fifth step of
hardening by heating the blank at 830° C for 0.5 hour
while supplying N2 gas serving as a fluidizing gas at a
flow rate of 5.0 × 10-4 m3/s, and thereafter quenching
the blank in oil at 80° C. Incidentally, the tempering
step to be performed after the heat treatment 4 is not
illustrated since this step is generally performed after
hardening to improve the toughness of the blank.
Table 1 shows the properties of the thrust ball
bearing rings and balls of Examples 1 to 15 and
Comparative Examples 1 to 6, i.e., the particle-to-particle
distance (distance between the most proximate
particles) of the spheroidal carbide of the carburized
layer (listed as "particle distance" in Table 1),
surface hardness (HRC) of the surface portion, and the
mean particle size of the spheroidal carbide of the
carburized layer.
The mean particle size of the spheroidal carbide was
determined by corroding the race of the sample directly
with a picral solution for a predetermined period of
time, observing the corroded surface at a magnification
of X3000 using EPMA to measure the mean particle size of
the carbide by the image analysis of ten fields and
calculating the average value of the measurements. The
particle-to-particle distance of the carbide was
determined by corroding the race of the sample directly
with a picral solution for a predetermined period of
time, observing the corroded surface at a magnification
of X3000 using EPMA to measure the mean particle size of
the carbide and the number of particles of thereof by
the image analysis of ten fields, calculating the
respective average values of the measurements and
calculating the distance from the known expression using
the average values. The sample was thereafter lapped
with alumina to remove the surface layer corroded with
the picral solution and obtain a center line average
height Ra of up to 0.05 µm.
| Ex. | Steel mat. | Heat treatment | Amount of abrasion (µm) | Surface hardness HRC | Mean particle size(µm) | Particle distance (µm) | Life (×106 cycles) |
| 1 | A | 1 | 50 | 65.9 | 2.47 | 8.35 | 5.55 |
| 2 | | 2 | 50 | 65.5 | 1.92 | 8.50 | 6.08 |
| 3 | | 2 | 70 | 59.5 | 3.15 | 9.54 | 5 |
| 4 | A | 1 | 70 | 59.1 | 3.83 | 8.29 | 4.9 |
| 5 | A | 1 | 50 | 65.2 | 3.44 | 8.70 | 5.6 |
| 6 | A | 1 | 70 | 65.6 | 3.07 | 8.27 | 4.86 |
| 7 | B | 1 | 100 | 63.5 | 2.45 | 8.43 | 5.26 |
| 8 | B | 1 | 120 | 58.0 | 2.32 | 11.9 | 4.7 |
| 9 | | 2 | 120 | 60.2 | 2.42 | 8.98 | 5.02 |
| 10 | C | 1 | 50 | 65.3 | 0.52 | 2.14 | 11.7 |
| 11 | | 2 | 50 | 65.2 | 0.40 | 3.16 | 10.9 |
| 12 | | 2 | 50 | 65.3 | 1.50 | 8.50 | 50 |
| 13 | B | 1 | 120 | 65.1 | 2.01 | 11.9 | 29.2 |
| 14 | C | 1 | 50 | 67.0 0 | 0.50 | 2.14 | 87.5 |
| 15 | | 2 | 50 | 66.1 | 0.35 | 3.16 | 83.3 |
| C. Ex. | |||||||
| 1 | | 4 | 150 | 57.5 | 1.31 | 17 | 2.1 |
| 2 | | 4 | 150 | 59.3 | 1.20 | 20 | 2.2 |
| 3 | | 3 | 150 | 57.0 | 0.91 | 23 | 2 |
| 4 | | 4 | 150 | 66.0 | 0.75 | 17 | 11 |
| 5 | | 4 | 150 | 65.2 | 2.10 | 20 | 8.2 |
| 6 | | 3 | 150 | 62.1 | 1.97 | 23 | 8 |
The ball bearings of Examples 1 to 11 and
Comparative Examples 1 to 3 were subjected to a life
test in a soiled oil containing extraneous matter. The
ball bearing was immersed in #60 spindle oil containing
0.12 wt. % of a high-speed tool steel powder, 27 µm in
mean particle size, 50 µm in maximum particle size and
HRC 65 in surface hardness, and tested for life under a
thrust load of 3.92 kN (maximum contact stress Pmax=5.24
GPa), at a speed of rotation of 1200 rpm (stress
application frequency: 30 Hz) using a thrust-type
tester. A vibrometer was connected to the tester so
that when the vibration value increased to twice the
initial value in the event of a fault, such as spalling,
occurring during testing, the tester was automatically
stopped. The oil was not filtered or replenished during
testing, but the used oil was replaced by a specified
amount of fresh oil every time the test was conducted.
Table 1 also shows the life of the ball bearings of
Examples 1 to 11 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3.
The relationship between the particle-to-particle
distance of the spheroidal carbide of the carburized
layer and the rolling life L was determined for the
bearing rings and balls of Examples 1 to 11 and
Comparative Examples 1 to 3. FIG. 5 showing the results
indicates that the smaller the particle-to-particle
distance of the carbide in the range of up to 15 µm, the
longer the life L. In the case of Comparative Examples
1 to 3 wherein the distance is greater than 15 µm, the
life L is up to half of that of Examples 1 to 11.
The ball bearings of Examples 12 to 15 and
Comparative Examples 4 to 6 were subjected to a life
test in a clean oil. The ball bearing was immersed in
clean # 60 spindle oil free from extraneous matter and
tested under the same conditions as in Evaluation Test
1. Table 1 also shows the life of the ball bearings of
Examples 12 to 15 and Comparative Examples 4 to 6.
The relationship between the particle-to-particle
distance of the spheroidal carbide of the carburized
layer and the rolling life L was determined for the
bearing rings and balls of Examples 12 to 15 and
Comparative Examples 4 to 6. FIG. 6 showing the results
indicates that the smaller the particle-to-particle
distance of the carbide in the range of up to 15 µm, the
longer the life L. In the case of Comparative Examples
4 to 6 wherein the distance is greater than 15 µm, the
life L is up to half of that of Examples 12 to 15.
The foregoing results reveal that the parts wherein
the particle-to-particle distance of the carbide of the
carburized layer is up to 15 µm serve a prolonged
rolling life L in both soiled oil and clean oil.
Although rolling parts of the invention for use in
antifriction bearings have been described with reference
to the foregoing examples, the invention is not limited
to antifriction bearing parts but is applicable also to
other rolling parts and sliding parts such as those of
sliding bearings. The advantage of improved life is
available also in these applications.
Claims (5)
- A rolling or sliding part comprising a steel material subjected to a heat treatment including carburization and containing a spheroidal carbide precipitated and dispersed in a carburized layer matrix, the particle-to-particle distance of the spheroidal carbide being up to 15 µm in terms of the distance between the most proximate particles.
- A rolling or sliding part according to claim 1 wherein the particle-to-particle distance of the spheroidal carbide is up to 10 µm in terms of the distance between the most proximate particles.
- A rolling or sliding part according to claim 1 or 2 which has a surface hardness of 58 to 67 in Rockwell C hardness.
- A rolling or sliding part according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the spheroidal carbide is up to 5 µm in mean particle size.
- A rolling or sliding part according to claim 3 wherein the spheroidal carbide is up to 5 µm in mean particle size.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP31788798 | 1998-11-09 | ||
| JP10317887A JP2000145783A (en) | 1998-11-09 | 1998-11-09 | Rolling and sliding parts |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP1001181A2 true EP1001181A2 (en) | 2000-05-17 |
| EP1001181A3 EP1001181A3 (en) | 2002-11-27 |
| EP1001181B1 EP1001181B1 (en) | 2003-12-10 |
Family
ID=18093171
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP99121511A Expired - Lifetime EP1001181B1 (en) | 1998-11-09 | 1999-10-28 | Rolling or sliding parts |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US6251197B1 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP1001181B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2000145783A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE256256T1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69913468T2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1298334A2 (en) * | 2001-09-26 | 2003-04-02 | Ntn Corporation | Roller thrust bearing |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6537390B1 (en) * | 1999-11-11 | 2003-03-25 | Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd. | Antifriction bearing |
| US7008156B2 (en) * | 2002-03-26 | 2006-03-07 | Atushi Imai | Load transfer apparatus |
| JP2004060797A (en) * | 2002-07-30 | 2004-02-26 | Koyo Seiko Co Ltd | Roller member and its manufacturing method |
| KR20040043324A (en) * | 2002-11-18 | 2004-05-24 | 에프에이지베어링코리아유한회사 | steel for bearing and heat treatment method thereof |
| WO2008108248A1 (en) * | 2007-03-02 | 2008-09-12 | Ntn Corporation | Thrust bearing |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5030017A (en) * | 1989-07-25 | 1991-07-09 | Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha | Rolling bearing |
| US5084116A (en) * | 1989-07-31 | 1992-01-28 | Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha | Rolling contact element steel and rolling bearing made thereof |
| US5137375A (en) * | 1990-05-17 | 1992-08-11 | Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha | Rolling bearing |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4202710A (en) * | 1978-12-01 | 1980-05-13 | Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho | Carburization of ferrous alloys |
| JPH02107755A (en) * | 1988-10-17 | 1990-04-19 | Koyo Seiko Co Ltd | Bearing steel |
| JPH02159360A (en) * | 1988-12-09 | 1990-06-19 | Mazda Motor Corp | Production of carburization hardened member |
| US5336338A (en) * | 1991-12-03 | 1994-08-09 | Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd. | Bearing components and process for producing same |
| JP3028170B2 (en) * | 1993-07-30 | 2000-04-04 | 光洋精工株式会社 | Bearing parts |
| JP3538995B2 (en) * | 1994-09-29 | 2004-06-14 | 日本精工株式会社 | Rolling bearing |
| JP3387427B2 (en) * | 1997-11-27 | 2003-03-17 | アイシン精機株式会社 | Heat treatment method for steel |
-
1998
- 1998-11-09 JP JP10317887A patent/JP2000145783A/en active Pending
-
1999
- 1999-10-28 DE DE69913468T patent/DE69913468T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-10-28 AT AT99121511T patent/ATE256256T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1999-10-28 US US09/428,996 patent/US6251197B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-10-28 EP EP99121511A patent/EP1001181B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5030017A (en) * | 1989-07-25 | 1991-07-09 | Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha | Rolling bearing |
| US5084116A (en) * | 1989-07-31 | 1992-01-28 | Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha | Rolling contact element steel and rolling bearing made thereof |
| US5137375A (en) * | 1990-05-17 | 1992-08-11 | Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha | Rolling bearing |
Non-Patent Citations (3)
| Title |
|---|
| PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 014, no. 314 (C-0737), 5 July 1990 (1990-07-05) & JP 02 107755 A (KOYO SEIKO CO LTD), 19 April 1990 (1990-04-19) * |
| PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 014, no. 417 (C-0756), 10 September 1990 (1990-09-10) & JP 02 159360 A (MAZDA MOTOR CORP), 19 June 1990 (1990-06-19) * |
| PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 1995, no. 05, 30 June 1995 (1995-06-30) & JP 07 041934 A (KOYO SEIKO CO LTD), 10 February 1995 (1995-02-10) * |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1298334A2 (en) * | 2001-09-26 | 2003-04-02 | Ntn Corporation | Roller thrust bearing |
| EP1298334A3 (en) * | 2001-09-26 | 2005-11-16 | Ntn Corporation | Roller thrust bearing |
| US7273319B2 (en) | 2001-09-26 | 2007-09-25 | Ntn Corporation | Roller thrust bearing |
| US7707723B2 (en) | 2001-09-26 | 2010-05-04 | Ntn Corporation | Method of producing a roller thrust bearing having a plurality of rows of rollers |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE69913468T2 (en) | 2004-10-07 |
| EP1001181B1 (en) | 2003-12-10 |
| EP1001181A3 (en) | 2002-11-27 |
| ATE256256T1 (en) | 2003-12-15 |
| JP2000145783A (en) | 2000-05-26 |
| US6251197B1 (en) | 2001-06-26 |
| DE69913468D1 (en) | 2004-01-22 |
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